Meaning
Information that is positive or brings happiness.
Cultural Background
Americans often use 'Good news' with high energy and enthusiasm. It is common to follow it with a high-five or a celebratory gesture in informal settings. British speakers might use 'Good news' more conservatively. They often add 'actually' or 'quite' to soften the enthusiasm, reflecting a cultural preference for understatement. While 'Good news' is used, Japanese culture often emphasizes modesty. A person might downplay their own 'good news' to avoid appearing boastful (hubris). In many Arabic-speaking cultures, 'Good news' is often accompanied by 'Alhamdulillah' (Praise be to God), acknowledging a higher power in the positive outcome.
The 'A' Trap
Never say 'a good news'. It is the most common mistake for A2 learners. Always use 'some' or nothing at all.
Email Subject Lines
Using 'Good News' as an email subject line has a very high open rate. It makes people feel happy before they even read your message.
Meaning
Information that is positive or brings happiness.
The 'A' Trap
Never say 'a good news'. It is the most common mistake for A2 learners. Always use 'some' or nothing at all.
Email Subject Lines
Using 'Good News' as an email subject line has a very high open rate. It makes people feel happy before they even read your message.
Sarcasm Check
If someone says 'Good news' with a very flat voice, they probably mean something bad happened. Pay attention to the tone!
Test Yourself
Choose the correct sentence.
Which of these is grammatically correct?
'News' is uncountable, so we use 'some' and no plural 's'.
Fill in the blank with the correct verb.
The good news ______ that we are going on holiday!
'News' is a singular mass noun, so it takes the verb 'is'.
Complete the dialogue.
Friend A: 'I just found out I won the lottery!' Friend B: 'Wow, ________!'
'That's good news' is the standard reaction to someone else's success.
Match the phrase to the situation.
When would you say 'Good news, everyone!'?
'Good news, everyone!' is a classic way to address a group with positive info.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to use Good News
Work
- • Promotion
- • New Project
- • Bonus
Personal
- • New Baby
- • Wedding
- • Buying a House
Health
- • Recovery
- • Clear Tests
- • Feeling Better
Practice Bank
4 exercisesWhich of these is grammatically correct?
'News' is uncountable, so we use 'some' and no plural 's'.
The good news ______ that we are going on holiday!
'News' is a singular mass noun, so it takes the verb 'is'.
Friend A: 'I just found out I won the lottery!' Friend B: 'Wow, ________!'
'That's good news' is the standard reaction to someone else's success.
When would you say 'Good news, everyone!'?
'Good news, everyone!' is a classic way to address a group with positive info.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt looks plural because of the 's', but it is a singular uncountable noun. You say 'The news is...', not 'The news are...'.
No. Because it is uncountable, you should say 'a lot of good news' or 'many pieces of good news'.
Use 'great news' when the information is very important or very exciting, like winning a big prize or getting married.
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable. You can say 'I am writing to share some good news regarding our quarterly results.'
The direct opposite is 'bad news'. You can also say 'unfortunate news' for a more formal tone.
This is a famous catchphrase from the TV show 'Futurama'. People often say it as a joke or to sound like the character Professor Farnsworth.
Yes, this is the correct way to count it. 'I have one piece of good news and two pieces of bad news.'
Yes, very often! People often text 'Good news!' followed by an emoji like 🥳 or 🎉.
No, but it is very common in informal writing to show excitement. In formal reports, a period is better.
Absolutely. 'Good news, I found my socks!' is a perfectly normal thing to say.
Related Phrases
Great news
similarEven more positive than 'good news'.
Bad news
contrastInformation that is negative or disappointing.
No news is good news
builds onIf you haven't heard anything, it likely means nothing bad has happened.
Breaking news
specialized formInformation that is happening right now.
